Form tie clamp



June 19, 1934. p WHERREN 1,963,514

FORM TIE CLAMP Filed May 15, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l WWII/11111, /a

GUY P. WHEEEEN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 19, 1934. G, p wHERREN 1,963,514

FORM TIE CLAMP Filed May 15, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 00 P. Wnt/aez/v INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 1 9, I i

; UNITED: :STATES PATENT ors csif Guy P. Wherren, L0's Angel'es, Calif. Application May 15, 1933, Serial No. 671.145

Claims; (01. -131 This invention ,relates to improvements in means for holding forms for concrete construction, and

consists of novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the art of molding concrete bodies or structures suchas piers, walls, abutments, dams and the like,

it is customary to make knockdown or temporary forms of timber, metal or other structural material, and to provide'means to space apart the sides of such structuresand to hold them from'spreadingapa rt, such means com prising tie rods, which usually remain perma-..

nently in from the attached the concrete and clampsfiremovable tie rods, which clamps are removably toparts of the. forms. After the concrete has been placed and set, the clampsare released and detached from the'tie rods, and

the forms and clamps, either assembled in sections, or

completely disassembled, are removed to. other portions of the structure.

Form clamping devices in general are not as extensively used as they might be due to'the fact that while they may space the forms the required distance apart, there are too many parts to assemble to accomplish the purpose. primary factor being tion and The the speed and ease of erecstripping of forms, any time lost in assembling parts is a bar to their successful use. The same holds true in removing or stripping the forms after the concrete is poured; any extra parts which must be assembled or removed by a separate'operation, then reassembled, necessarily increase the time and the cost of the operation.

Some types of form-tie devices space the forms' by means of Spreaders of metalor wood,

others by cone nuts or similar devices abutting against theinner faces of the sheathing or side walls, Such devices must be either removed separately from the concrete.

My present invention has tying means or remain in the poured as an object the overcoming of the above difficulties, by providing a spacing element which is part of the clamp and is removed or installed with it,. thus eliminating theextra operations of separate handling of parts. invention drawings In the tion:

Other objects and advantages of the will appear from the. specification and drawings used to illustrate this inven- Fig. 1 represents a perspective. view of a preferred form of clamp, with a rotatable abutting key. Fig.2.i

s a partial section of a simple threaded rod and nut with a slotted rotatable abutting key. a Fig. 3 is a partial view of a slotted abutting key mortised in the rod. I V

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the key'arrangement shown in section in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective disassembled assembly of the key arrangement shown in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 6 is an elevationof a device embodying this inventionin use, with the upright studs, the horizontal wales and the facings of a 'mold for a concrete. wall; the studs are shown fragmentally, and the wedge plates, wales and siding or sheathing, and a partial pouring oflconcrete are shown in vertical section.

Fig; 7 isa fragmental plan of what is shown in Fig.- 6 wedge plates, siding and studs being in section on line indicated '7-7 on Fig. 6. I

Fig. 8 is an elevation of'an arrangement for attaching a. form wall structure to previously anchored means inset concrete. I

The wall forms with which the clamps are to be used may be varied to suit the requirements. One type is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 in whichthe side walls 10and 11 are built of boards or sheathing held together by vertical studding members 12. The clamps instead of bearing directly on the sheeting or studding .members,. are removably fastened to horizontal: structural members known in the building trade as wales. or Whalers, 13 and 14, which may beused in pairs, spaced a short distance apart as shown", or singly, in which latter case holes maybe cut through the timbers for inserting the clamp ,rod; If usedin pairs, the clamp rod is .put betweenthe two wales. The side walls 10 andi'll'are usuallynailed or bolted to. the studding 12;.and. the wales, l3 and 14, are lightly nailed or .other--. wise fastened to the studding 12, to hold the: structure together during assembly of the vari-- ous parts, including the clamps and tie rods. 7

The form tie clamps may be of various types, the particular variety shown in Figs. 6 and"? being of the Wedge bolt .type. ,The tie rod; 15; which normally remains permanently. in. the concrete, is threaded at both ends, or otherwise adapted to be detachably connectedto the inner ends of the clamp rod, .for example, by 'a socket or bayonet connection. The clamps, in this illus-. trative example, include a rod 17 internally threaded at-18 onthe endwithin theformed space. For ease in removing the rod of theclamp after the concrete-has-set, the internal end is. usually'provided with a taper 40. The opposite, or external end of the, clamp rod 17. isflattened to a fiat portion 19, and a slot 20 is cut in the flattened portion, 19, into which the wedge 21 with retaining pin 22 is inserted. A bearing plate 23 is ordinarily also used to distribute the load to the structural members or wales l3 and 14. Intermediate the ends of the rod, and at a fixed distance from the outer end, depending upon the thickness of the wales l3 and 14, is provided an abutting means referred to in this application as a key or abutting key 24, whose position lengthwise'of the clamp rod is fixed and non-adjustable when the key is in position at right angles to the axis of the clamp rod 1'7. The abutting key 24 cooperates with the clamping means, in the case of Figs. 6 and '7, the wedge 21 in the slot 20, in fastening the clamp securely to the wales 13 and 14. The abutting key 24 is preferably rotatable on the pin 25, so that it may be turned into position parallel to the axis of the rod 17, in which position it is more readily inserted between the pairs of wales 13 and 14, or through a hole in a single Wale, if that be used. In Fig. 6 the key 24 is shown with a slot 26. In assemblingrthe clamping device, the internally threaded end 18 of the clamp rod 17 is inserted between or through the wales 13 and 14, and through a hole 27 in the sheathing or side Walls, 10 and 11. The tie rod 15 is attached to the end 18 either before insertion or afterwards as desired. For this insertion, the abutting key 24 is rotated into position substantially parallel to the clamp rod 17, and the wedge 21 is placed in released position in the slot 20. The key 24 is then moved on the pin in the slot toward the formed space A, until it reaches a position where it may be rotated. to a vertical position at right angles, to the clamp rod 17. The wedge 21 is then forced into the slotv 20, and the clamp is thereby removably fixed to the wales 13 and 14. The tie rod 15 is of fixed length, predetermined by the requirements of the work in hand; the side walls 10 and 11 and the studding 12 are of predetermined thickness and the location of the key 24 relative tothe ends of the rod is predetermined; consequently the forms are positioned apart in space as desired. The forms are prevented from falling inwardly by the nails 28 which hold the side walls. 10. and 11 to the studding members 12, tov the wales 13 and 14.

After the concrete has been poured and set,

and it is desired to move the clamps and forms,

the tightening device on the outer end of the clamp. rod 1'7, in the case of Figs. 6 and '7, the wedge 21 in the slot 20, is loosened, which relieves the pressure against the abutting key 24. The key 24 is pulled along its slot 26. and rotated on its. pin 25. to a position parallel to the clamp rod 1'7. In this position the whole clamp 16 is unscrewed from the tie rod 15, which remains embedded in the concrete. The taper on the end of the rod 17 permits easy removal from the set concrete. The form clamp 16 is thus removable in one operation and in one piece, and without disassembly or reassembly is ready for reuse in a new position.

Other varieties of clamping devices of the removable rod type may be used equally well with the abutting key 24. In Fig. 2 is shown a simple nut 29 acting on a threaded portion 30 of the clamp rod 17. A bearing plate 31 is also shownfor distributing the load to the structural members when the clamp is in use. Fig. 1 shows another clamping arrangement in which the threaded portion 30 of the clamp rod 1'7 is upset or enlarged or flattened as at 32 so that thenut 29, shown with. a wing or handle 33= for ease of manipulation, may not be removed from the threads. This flattened portion 32 may be shaped to provide a seating for a tool for revolving the whole clamp 16, as is required when assembling or disassembling the clamp and the center tie rod 15. Any other suitable means for tightening or loosening the rod in its clamping action against the abutting key 24 may be used in my invention.

Variations in the form of abutting key may also be used without departing from my invention. The preferred form. is that shown in Fig. 6 and above described in detail. This form is also shown in detail in the perspective disassemblage of Fig. 5 in which is shown a portion of the clamp rod 1'7, having a flattened portion 34, and a threaded hole 35 into which is screwed the headed pin 25 through the slot 26 in the key 24 and through the tension washer 36, which serves to hold the key 24 by friction in any desired rotational position. Figs. 3 and 4 show in perspective and in plan a variation in the abutting key seating, in which case the key 24 is mounted in a mortise or slot 41 in the clamp rod 17, the pin 25 and the tension washer 36 serving the same functions as in the form shown in Fig. 5. Any form of abutting key which is non-adjustable in lengthwise position of the clamp rod 1'7 when the key is in substantially right angled relation to the axis of the rod 17, is considered as being within the scope of my invention.

Fig. 8 shows the use of the form, clamp under the circumstance of a single wall, which is frequently used in mass concrete construction, for example dams. In this type of construction, successive masses of concrete are added to masses previously poured, and the temporary wall forms are tied to anchors in the previously formed concrete. In the case shown, a center tie rod is not practicable, so that it has been found that a hooked tie rod 3'7 may be used, which hook is tied by wires or small rods 38 to anchors 39 in the previously placed concrete B. The hooked rod 3'7 replaces the center tie rod 15 of Figs. 6 and '7. The form structure is. substantially the same as in Figs. 6 and '7, being composed of side walls 10,. studding members 12 and wales l3 and14. The

wedge 21 in the slot 20 of the flattened portion 19 of the clamp rod 1'7 acts with the rotatable abutting key 24 to hold the device to the wales 13 and 14.

I claim:

1. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, an abutting key attached to the rod of said clamp, said key being rotatable around an axis at right angles to the axis of said rod.

2. In a. form tie clamp of the removable rod type, an abutting key rotatably attached to the rod of said clamp by a pin substantially at right angles to the axis of said rod, and tension means for holding the key in position.

3. In a form tie clamp. of the removable rod type, an abutting key attached to the main rod of said clamp, said key being adapted to. be aligned with said rod for insertion through openings in the form structure, and adapted to be turned at an angle to the rod after insertion through said openings;

4. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, an abutting key provided with a slot attached to the rod of said clamp by a pin set in saidslot, said pin being at right angles to the axis or" said rod.

5. In a form tie clamp of the removable rodmeans at the outer end of the rod, and means attached at fixed distance along said rod for abutting against the outer structural members of the form.

6. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a rod, adjustable clamping means at the outer end of'the rod, and a rotatable slotted key attached at a fixed distance along said rod for abutting against the structural members of the form.

7. In a form tie clamp of the removablev rod type, in combination, a wedge bolt having one end flattened and slotted, a wedge mounted in the slot of the rod,.and an abutting key rotatably attached at a fixed distance from the flattened end. a

8. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a wedge bolt having one end flattened and slotted, aslotted plate on'and slidable along only the flattened portion of the rod, a wedge mounted in the slot of the rod, and an abutting key rotatably attached at a fixed distance from the flattened end of the rod.

9. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a rod having a threaded end, a nut fitting on said thread, and an abutting means attached at a fixed distance intermediate the ends of said rod, said abutting means together with the nut on the threaded end of the rod being adapted to hold the rod in spaced relation to the form by clamping to the structural members of the form.

10. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a rod having a threaded portion near one end, a nut on saidthreaded portion, a flattened enlargement on the end of the rod adjacent the threaded portion, said flattened enlargement being adapted for turning the rod by means of a detachable tool, and to prevent the removal of the nut from the rod, and

an abutting means. attached at a fixed distance intermediate the ends 01 the rod, said abutting means together with the nut on the threaded portion of the rod being adapted to hold the rod in spaced'relation to the form by clamping to the structural members of the form. v

11. Inc, form tie clamp, in combination, a rod having a threaded portion near one end, a nut on said threaded portion, a flattened enlargement on the end of the rod adjacent the threaded portion, said flattened end being adapted for turning the rod by means of a detachable tool and to prevent the removal of the nut from the rod, and a rotatable slotted key attached at fixed distance intermediate the threaded portion and the opposite end of the rod, said key together with the nut on the threaded portion of the rod being adapted to hold the rod in spaced relation to the form by clamping to the structural members of the form.

12. In a form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a rod, an adjustable clamping means at one end of the rod, abutting means attached to the rod at a fixed distance intermediate the ends of the rod, and hook fastening means detachably connected to the end of the rod opposite the clamping means.

13. In a. form tie clamp of the removable rod type, in combination, a rod having one end slotted, a wedge mounted in the slot of the rod, an abutting key rotatably attached to therod at'a fixed distance intermediate the ends of the rod, and hook-fastening means detachably connected to the end of the rod opposite the slot.

14. A form tie for holding concrete forms in spaced relation, comprising a center tie rod, end rods removably secured to said center rod, the

7 end rods having abutting means attached interend rods having a rotatable abutting key' attached intermediate the ends, and adjustable clamping devices on the outer ends of said rods adapted to coact with said abutting key to engage the structural members outside the mold space. a

16. A form tie for holding concrete forms in spaced relation, comprising a center tie rod, end rods removably secured to said center rod, the end rods having a key attached to the rod by a pin set substantially at right angles to the axis of the rod, and adjustable clamping means on the outer ends of said end rods adapted to coact with said abutting keys to engage the structural members of the form outside the mold space.

17. A form tie for holding concrete forms in spaced relation, comprising acenter tie rod; end rods removably secured to said center rod, the end rods having a rotatable abutting key attached intermediate the ends, and having the outer ends flattened and slotted, a wedge mounted in the slotof each rod, said slots and wedges being adapted to coact with said abutting keys to engage the structural members of the form outside the moldspace.

18. In combination, spaced apart concrete form, a tie rod for such forms comprising cooperating center tie rod and end rod sections removably secured to said center rod, the end rods having abutting means attached intermediate the ends, and adjustable clamping devices on the outer ends of said end rod sections adaptedto coact with said abutting means to engage the structural members of the form outside the mold space.

19.j In combination, spaced apart concrete forms, a tie rod for such forms comprising cooperating center tie rod, end rods removablysecured to said center rod, the end rods having a key attached to the rod by a pinset substantially at right angles to the axis of the rod, said key being rotatable around the pin and at an angle to the axis of the rod, and adjustable clamp-- ing means on the outer ends of said end rods adapted to coact with said abutting keys to en- GUY P; WHERREN. 

